When it was announced that New York Knicks starting center Mitchell Robinson was going to be sidelined for multiple weeks because of ankle surgery, many wondered how one of the best defenses in the NBA would be impacted. There aren’t many players in the NBA capable of doing what Robinson can do on the defensive end of the floor. Not to mention his incredible impact on the offensive glass.
Little did people know, the Knicks had a center just waiting for his chance at expanded minutes to showcase what he has got. Isaiah Hartenstein has not only stepped into Robinson’s role as the starting center, he has taken the production at the position to another level.
While Hartenstein isn’t impacting the game in the same way that Robinson did, both players have been net positives for New York on the court. They are the best offensive-rebounding center duo in the NBA as the Knicks continue crashing the glass despite Robinson not being in the lineup.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Marcus Camby, New York Knicks Updates
With his performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year’s Day, Hartenstein moved into first place in the NBA in defensive EPM. That number is only going to go up after what he did against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
Hartenstein was a monster in the paint, pulling down a career-high 20 rebounds, seven of which were on the offensive glass. He protected the paint on defense as well, blocking five shots. On offense, he scored 10 points, going 4-of-6 from the field and finishing the game with an absurd +32 plus/minus ratio.
It was a performance for the ages as Hartenstein joined Patrick Ewing on an exclusive list. As shared by StatMuse on X, Those are the only two players in Knicks history to record 20+ rebounds and 5+ blocks and shoot 60+ percent from the field in the same game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Marcus Camby, New York Knicks Updates
10-20-5 games are very rare in the NBA. Hartenstein was only the third Knicks player in the last 40 years to achieve those numbers in the same game, joining Ewing and Marcus Camby. Tommy Beer shared the update on X.
The production that Hartenstein has provided the team in the absence of Robinson has been nothing short of spectacular. No matter who the opponent has been, he is more than holding his own.
The loss of Robinson is a big one for the Knicks, as their frontcourt depth has been hit hard as a result. But Hartenstein is playing like one of the best centers in the NBA, providing an impact offensively with his passing skills that more than makes up for whatever impact the team has lost defensively without Robinson in the mix.
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